Missing Clearwater diver has Scientology community (and exes too) distraught
Several readers over the last few days have been messaging us in regards to a story about a missing sportfishing diver who didn’t surface last Thursday about 65 miles off the coast of Naples, Florida.
Drake Sweet, 36, was a filmmaker, an experienced diver, and he also happened to be a Scientologist.
When he didn’t resurface, his diving partner put out an emergency beacon that resulted in a massive search. But on Saturday, the Coast Guard announced that it was suspending its efforts.
Sweet’s family then turned to private means, starting up a GoFundMe and hoping to raise $75,000. As of yesterday, they had raised more than $112,000.
According to the fund’s latest update, special equipment was being deployed to the site yesterday with hopes of finding equipment or Sweet himself.
The outpouring of support is interesting, because the list of contributors includes names very well known in the Scientology community, as well as some who have left the church.
One former Scientologist, for example, tells us that Sweet grew up with her boys, and although she’s no longer a Scientologist herself and has been “declared” by the church, she wanted to help out. She says she received a courteous message from Sweet’s father who, technically, violated church rules when he acknowledged her generosity.
Some other names that we recognized in the list of contributors.
Alanna Masterson, sister to Danny Masterson, a Scientologist, and an actress who is best known for her recurring role in The Walking Dead.
Riley Keough, Lisa Marie Presley’s daughter, and also an actress. Lisa told us in 2015 that she had brought Riley out of Scientology with her at that time, but various lines of evidence suggest to us that Riley may be back in.
Brie Shaffer, Danny Masterson’s former assistant, who is married to actor Michael Peña.
Daniel Duggan, son of Scientology’s wealthiest donor Trish Duggan, and recognized just this past December by Scientology as its “youngest Gold Meritorious With Honors on Earth,” reflecting $1.25 million in donations to the IAS.
Joy Gendusa, who got some notoriety after she ordered her PostcardMania employees in Clearwater to work through deadly Hurricane Ian.
Shane Woodruff, who Leah Remini described in her book as her “celebrity handler” when she was in Scientology.
Angie Blankenship, who made the #1 spot in Mike Rinder’s “ex-Sea Org Hall of Shame.”
And we were sad to see the name of one of the people on our disconnection roll, Sammy Kahn, who disconnected from his mother Mary Kahn and cut off all contact with her more than 11 years ago.
Clearly, Drake Sweet was someone who was very well liked by a lot of people both in and out of Scientology, and we feel for his family and friends who are clearly struggling with his disappearance.
Want to help?
Please consider joining the Underground Bunker as a paid subscriber. Your $7 a month will go a long way to helping this news project stay independent, and you’ll get access to our special material for subscribers. Or, you can support the Underground Bunker with a Paypal contribution to bunkerfund@tonyortega.org, an account administered by the Bunker’s attorney, Scott Pilutik. And by request, this is our Venmo link, and for Zelle, please use (tonyo94 AT gmail). E-mail tips to tonyo94@gmail.com. Find us at Threads: tony.ortega.1044 and Bluesky: @tonyortega.bsky.social
For the full picture of what’s happening today in the world of Scientology, please join the conversation at tonyortega.org, where we’ve been reporting daily on David Miscavige’s cabal since 2012. There you’ll find additional stories, and our popular regular daily features:
Source Code: Actual things founder L. Ron Hubbard said on this date in history
Avast, Ye Mateys: Snapshots from Scientology’s years at sea
Overheard in the Freezone: Indie Hubbardism, one thought at a time
Past is Prologue: From this week in history at alt.religion.scientology
Random Howdy: Your daily dose of the Captain
Here’s the link to today’s post at tonyortega.org
And whatever you do, subscribe to this Substack so you get our breaking stories and daily features right to your email inbox every morning.
Paid subscribers get access to a special podcast series…
Group Therapy: Our round table of rowdy regulars on the week’s news
Well, it's sad to say but I appreciate seeing my son's name on anything or out of anyone's mouth. He is so disconnected that I never hear a peep from anyone and am at least thankful to know that he is alive and that he cared about giving to Drake Sweet's Go Fund Me.
I suspect Drake, based on what he did as a filmmaker gave him a few doubts about Scientology, which boom! made him PTS to his church. I’ve seen it with others and I lived it.
Very dangerous to be in that condition as accidents and mistakes do happen when you are under stress from 24/7 efforts to make you donate your time and money.